Monday, December 19, 2011

Common possibilities include and have included Alaska, Baja California, the Carribean, and even a planned one to circle the Hawaiian Islands, another for New England, Quebec, and points between.

Let me tell you about Veronica and Val R. They are two very knowledgeable, experienced, service-oriented members of a recovery fellowship and of the International Christian Recovery Coalition.

In recent years, they organized and funded the first two A.A. History Cruises. One was to Alaska. The other was to the Carribean. Veronica and Val live in Woodland, CA. The two cruises did not focus on drunkalogs. Nor were they "archive" oriented. Nor were they A.A. affiliated. But they introduced cruise-oriented members to the joys of history cruises--the same kind of cruises that have been popular for AAs and others as "sober cruises," "holiday cruises," and even "Joe and Charlie" speaker cruises.

The two history cruises featured meetings in a special area on the ship. There were talks by Mel B., (substantial contributor to "Pass It On" and writer for Hazelden and to the Grapevine.) Also Ray G., (long-time archivist and a managing board member at Dr. Bob's Home.) Also, myself (Dick B., A.A. historian and writer.) And both Veronica and Val who are described below.

The latter have attended our history conference in Delaware. They spoke at my seminar at the Wilson House in Vermont. They spoke at the Tampa history conference organized by George M.
They followed my First Nationwide History Conference in Phoenix with their presentations in Phoenix. Veronica was in charge of Archives International and its program at the Toronto Convention of A.A. Both have sponsored many people and familiarized themselves with our history.

These Conferences were followed by an announcement of the venerable Jim M. that his sister was organized a similar cruise, but I heard no more of it though eagerly anticipated it.

Now, the International Christian Recovery Coalition is hosting one, and probably two "Let Your Voice Be Heard" conferences with world-wide outreach. They will be held in May, 2012. The first will be held in Orange County, California--with planning already under way. The second at Miami is on our "wish list." There are talented and knowledgeable Christian Recovery leaders throughout Florida. There is a solid crew there. Some have attended cruises we attended or other cruises. Russell S. of Miami is a Christian A.A. and a much sought-after speaker, who recently spoke at our Summit Conference at The Crossing in Costa Mesa, CA.

Past A.A. history cruises have not been pursued recently. Persons, or a collaborative group with experience like that of Val and Veronica, are needed initially to fund the cruise as to speakers. An experienced cruise organizer that of Alice Travel in Florida needs to be in the loop because of wide previous customer-contacts and lots of cruise travel know-how.. A sizeable core group like that in International Christian Recovery Coalition need to be informed and urged to join if they can. And competent, cooperative, amiable speakers need to be selected. I certainly would want to be one of them, particularly as Executive Director of our Coalition.

May will be here soon. The Conference in Orange County will happen. The Conference in Miami should happen. And the whole picture could be filled by the presence of Christian recovery leaders, workers, and newcomers--as well as those who seek God's help in recovery. Easily, a cruise with great ports, great food, great recreation, relaxing extras, and unusually fine evening entertainment will leave cruisers relaxed, informed, and enthused about our mission. Further, we are not a glum lot.

About Me

Richard G. Burns holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Stanford University where he was Case Editor of the Stanford Law Review. He was a Phi Beta Kappa in his Junior Year at UC Berkeley. There he received an A.A. degree in economics with Honorable Mention. He was an Information and Education Specialist in the United States Army where he held the rank of Sgt. He attended the information-education school at Washington & Lee University. He practiced law in California from 1951 to 1986. He was president of the Corte Madera Chamber of Commerce, Corte Madera Center Merchants Council, Mill Valley Community Church, Redwoods Retirement Center, and Almonte District Improvemen Club. Also elected Director of the Almonte Sanitary District. He is a writer, historian, retired attorney, Bible student, CDAAC, and active recovered member of the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous with continuous sobriety beginning April 21, 1986.

He writes under the pen name Dick B. He has devoted 24 years to researching the history and successes of the early A.A. Christian Fellowship in Akron; and published 46 titles, more than 1450 articles, and materials on Facebook, Twitter, MauiHistorian.Blogspot.com, Alcoholics Anonymous History.com, In the Rooms, Linked-in, Tumbler, MauiHistorian.Word Press.com, Aa Historian WordPress.com, AA History with Dick B. on cyber recovery social, Dick B. YouTube Channel, Articles Base, GoArticles.com, SearchWarp, Self Growth Experts, Social network forums on International Christian Recovery Coalition Forums, Recovery Internet Fellowship, Cyber Recovery, Daily Recovery, Christian Recovery Ministries, radio, TV, and over 70 audio blogs on the history subject. He regularly conducts radio interviews of Christian Recovery Leaders and Workers on www.ChristianRecoveryRadio.com.

He is Executive Director of the International Christian Recovery Coalition and of Freedom Ranch Maui Incorporated. He is an Advisor to God's Way Ministry, a Christian Church and is also a consultant to Wyoming Pacific Oil Company. Listed in Marquis Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in America, Who's Who in Law, Who's Who in Finance, and Gale's Contemporary Authors